Apparently, kayak fishing is the new best thing. It does offer you a lot more freedom, and it provides a lot of challenges for someone who’s used to be fishing from a boat or from the shore.
In these cases, the fisher is entirely stable, and they can pour all of their focus onto their casts and retrievals. On the other side of the spectrum, when they’re kayak fishing, they have to distribute their focus equally between casting, retrieving, paddling, and keeping the kayak completely balanced at all times. Now, we’ll discuss some of our tips to become a better kayak angler with you so that you can make the most out of this experience.
Contents
1. Kayak Type
One thing that kayak anglers need to know is that there are two types of kayaks; sit-in kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks. With a sit-on-top kayak, you’ll have a lot more space to stand up and have all of your stuff at the tip of your finger.
Nevertheless, you’ll have to protect and stabilize all of your stuff through leashes and waterproof bags so that they’ll be completely protected from water exposure.
On the other hand, sit-inside kayaks allow you to put your legs completely inside of them, and they have inner compartments for storage. Mostly these inner compartments are waterproof so that your stuff isn’t ruined by water.
Hence, studying both kayak types and trying both of them out will give you a great idea of what makes you more comfortable and more in charge of both fishing and kayaking.
2. Sight Fishing
Sight fishing is definitely a skill that all angle kayakers should master. It requires a great degree of concentration and precision as you stand on top of your kayak and focus on the waters around you in order to see for yourself what is happening. Some people might utilize a camera, but in this case, you’re the camera. Get yourself into position and go after the fish yourself.
3. Proper PFD
The very first thing that you need to do is to wear your PFD and if you don’t have it, then go out and purchase it. It’ll protect you and give you a lot more confidence in what you’re doing. You can hardly work and enjoy the sport when you’re soaking wet and freezing.
The wet suit will forbid that, and it’ll stabilize your body temperature. Add to that the life jacket, which will help you stay afloat no matter what.
4. Working Single-Handedly
The next thing that you need to know is more of a style. That is working with just one hand, while you stabilize the kayak with the other. That will definitely buy you some extra time before you freak the fish out through your kayak movements.
You’ll also learn how to change your lures with one hand, and you’ll have to do it fast. In order to make that work, you can try to use specific lines and lures that help you catch your fish much faster. They still have to be light and easily manageable so that you can switch them out quickly and without any delay.
5. Packing
Don’t forget to pack all of your necessities, and that too is a skill that you’ll acquire over time. You’ll find yourself preparing to take some stuff with you while not reaching out for other stuff nearly as much. So, have an open mind about it, and review your bag every time you go out on a kayak fishing trip.
6. Paddling Single-Handedly
We have just spoken about casting with one hand, you also need to learn how to paddle using one hand. In order to succeed in doing that, you might want to invest in some lightweight pedals that won’t put any strain on you, whether you are utilizing a sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak.
You can utilize your feet as rudders as well in order to control the kayak without using hands at all, which is rather impressive if possible, and if the weather allows it.
7. Anchor(s)
One way to add more stability is to use an anchor to keep you set in place while you’re fishing. Still, you must know that if you’re standing against extremely strong winds, then don’t bother with the anchor as the wind power might blow it out of its place.
8. Safety
You never know what might be out there. Consequently, don’t ever forget to always keep a whistle, flares, a First-Aid kit, emergency flags, and torches with extra sets of batteries on you. This way, in case of emergency, people can actually find you.
Another thing that you can do is install a GPS on the kayak itself so that you can map out your way in and easily retrace it back out.
9. Line Leading
Don’t forget that lines have a lot of strength in them in addition to the strength of your cast. This is what you can call work smart, not hard. If you want to go to a specific spot, cast there, and the line will drag your kayak along with it.
10. Shoreline Fishing
Additionally, you can keep to the shoreline at all times so that the water at its shallowest, and you can control your kayak much better and keep a better eye on what’s happening around you.
11. Hide-Out
Another tactic that you can use is to hide in a well-concealed/shaded area, maybe behind a waterfall or a big rock. This way, you’ll be unrecognizable by the fish, and you’ll keep an advantage for yourself.
12. Kayak Check-Ups
Another precaution that so many kayak anglers tend to forget about is to fully prepare for their trip. Repair your kayak, and make sure that it is fully functional. Don’t ever go out on any water surface with a faulty kayak, even if you have company.
13. Make a Plan
Decide on a path and log it onto your GPS so that you don’t forget where you’re going. Also, always have a range of hours that you’re going to spend out on the water so that you can have limits for yourself.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, kayak fishing is getting more and more popular by the day, and anglers who have never even thought about it before are becoming huge fans of the sport. It does provide you with an incredible challenge of stability, strong will, strength, balance, and knowledge.
So, make sure to do your full research. If you know of someone who is an avid kayak angler, don’t hesitate to ask them about their experience. Ask them what they usually need on the kayak, and what are the best spots to practice.